What is stainless steel?
Stainless steel, also referred to as SS or inox, is an alloy consisting primarily of iron, chromium, nickel and carbon. Stainless steel must contain a minimum of 11-12% chromium and a maximum of 1.2% carbon. In addition, many types of stainless steel also contain the elements molybdenum, titanium, manganese, nitrogen and silicon.
Stainless steel is divided into sub-families depending on its metallurgic structure.
• Martensitic types of steel for a higher degree of hardness, e.g. for knives, vanes and axles.
For ex.: Martensitic steel is steel with an AISI no. of 431 or 440 A, B and C.
• Ferritic types of steel are suitable for applications in low-corrosion rate environments.
• Austenitic types of steel are ideal for cold deformation and are highly weldable.
| Family | C | Cr | Ni |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martensite | < 1,2% | 10,5 - 17% | < 6,0% |
| Ferrite | < 1,2% | 10,5 - 29% | < 1,5% |
| Austenite | < 1,2% | 16 - 28% | 3,5 - 36% |
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